Fayemi debunks Amaechi’s claim on co-founding ADC coalition, says he’s an APC loyalist

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Ekiti State former governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has debunked the reports claiming that he co-founded the African Democratic Congress(ADC) coalition with the ex-Transportation minister, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

The coalition including notable politicians like former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate and ex-Anambra State governor, Mr Peter Obi; Ex-Senate President, David Mark; former Interior minister and ex-Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; and ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, is working to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

The former Rivers State governor had claimed that he and Fayemi, initiated the formation of the opposition coalition now working against Tinubu’s re-election.

Speaking during an X Space discussion titled Weekend Politics, Amaechi had said the coalition began as a private conversation between himself and Fayemi before the two agreed to expand it to include other political heavyweights.

He reportedly said, “Fayemi and I began the coalition discussion, and we subsequently agreed to broaden it so that it would involve more than just the two of us talking about starting a new party.

“We must create a middle class and put money in the pockets of Nigerians; insecurity will reduce.”

But Fayemi dismissed the report in a statement on Sunday, signed by Ahmed Sajoh, Head of the Fayemi Media Organization, saying that he is a committed member of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC).

According to the statement, “We address the alleged claim by Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State, that he and our principal, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State, founded the new ADC coalition before expanding it to include others.

“Despite efforts to verify this statement, which has gained traction on social and digital media, we have found no credible evidence to support it. No video of Hon. Amaechi making these claims or reports from reputable media organisations has been located.

“In an era where fabricated or distorted statements are often attributed to public figures for malicious purposes, we are cautious about engaging with potentially manufactured controversies designed to provoke or profit. It is possible that Hon. Amaechi did not make the statement or was misquoted.”

“We unequivocally state that these claims lack any basis. Dr. Fayemi remains a committed member and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State.

“At various public forums in Ekiti and nationwide, he has consistently affirmed his dedication to the APC, working to address its challenges and advance its progressive ideals for Nigeria. Nothing has changed.

“Furthermore, Dr. Fayemi has publicly endorsed His Excellency Biodun Oyebanji, Governor of Ekiti State, for re-election, clearly supporting his candidacy for the APC gubernatorial ticket. This underscores his loyalty to the APC.

“We also wish to note that Dr Fayemi is a politician and thought leader with friends and associates that span political, religious, ethnic and regional divides.

“And from time to time, he is part of conversations about the Nigeria project, how to deepen our fledgling democracy, make the country work for the greater good of all and overcome its numerous challenges.

“These conversations, however, do not amount to defections or leaving the APC. Dr Fayemi has the courage to pursue his convictions. If he were to leave the APC, he would make it public and not require a third party to do so.

“We state again, maybe for the umpteenth time: Dr Fayemi remains a principal member of the APC and is fully behind the party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ekiti State.

“We understand that the constant speculation about his party affiliation may stem from perceived limited public visibility, but that is because he has been actively engaged as a visiting professor at King’s College London and as the founder of Amandla Institute.

“Even then, while this may be true at the national level, it’s not so at the local level in Ekiti State, where he has been present at several leadership caucus meetings of the APC and publicly endorsed the Governor to contest in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.”

“We urge the public to treat any news concerning Dr. Fayemi with caution, particularly when it originates solely from social media.”

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